[opening theme music playing]
[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[Vic] We are live from the WWE Performance Center.
That is Ricky Saints, the number one contender,
and he's ready for battle after the last week.
His sights are set on the NXT Championship and Oba Femi.
But tonight, they team together alongside this duo,
the former tag team champions Hank and Tank.
These four issues, and rightfully so, are with these four men.
The current tag team champions.
I'm talking about DarkState.
It's an eight man tag-team main event live tonight.
[crowd chanting] NXT! NXT!
["Let 'Em Know" playing]
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
-[Vic] Oh, Booker's going! -[Booker] Yeah, baby!
[Booker] I went to church this weekend.
Oh, yes!
[bell rings]
[Mike] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first from Port Saint Lucie, Florida,
Jaida Parker!
[Vic] It could be hell or Hallelujah for one of these two here tonight, Book.
-[Booker laughing] -[Vic] Is this the type of fight
that Parker needs
-to take that next step, in your opinion? -[Booker] I do think that way.
[Booker] I mean, Jaida Park is on the cusp,
on the precipice of breaking that glass ceiling, man.
["Get It Girl" playing]
♪ Get it, girl ♪
♪ Get it, get it ♪
♪ Get it, girl ♪
[Mike] And her opponent, from Atlanta, Georgia,
Lash Legend!
She walks around, Book, like the baddest drip,
and in karats, looking lavish.
That is who she is, the Boujee Bully.
And look, these two just don't get along.
[Booker] Ain't nothing but air and opportunity
between these two right here tonight.
It's going to be a power struggle in this match-up.
That's the way I see it. Somebody… Somebody's gonna have to be smart
to emerge victorious, trust me on that.
[Vic] Jaida Parker, winner of four straight singles matches.
[Booker] Uh-huh.
[Vic] And what a way
-to kick things off here tonight. -[bell rings]
[crowd exclaiming]
[both grunting]
[Vic] There's been a lot of back and forth, Book,
-but ultimately, whose side do you choose? -[crowd exclaims]
Because things are getting chippy early.
-[Booker] Side? -Whose side do you choose?
-Did you say that to-- -You're Team Lashley or Team Jaida.
[Booker] I'm neutral, man. I'm neutral.
I'm looking for both of these ladies
to rise up and become major superstars in this business.
But trust me on this, they're going to meet many, many a date.
But tonight is very, very pivotal for both of these ladies.
[Vic] Well, Lash has questioned Parker's past matches and failures
while Parker has pointed out Lash's own flaws and shortcomings
And I want to take this a little bit deeper for a second.
Who was that one guy in the locker room, WCW, WWE, Booker,
that you just couldn't stand? They just got under your skin.
[Booker] See, now, you're talking about somebody getting into your emotions
and getting into your feelings.
I didn't have that happen to me, man, because it was all about me.
It was about checks. It was about championships.
It was about legacy and creating that. Oh, yes, man!
-[Vic] Big splash from Lash! -That's what I'm talking about.
[Vic] And Jaida able to kick out…
[Booker] But I understand what you're saying.
[Vic] Who is the one guy you wanted just to punch in the mouth?
[Booker] Many guys. One guy's sitting right next to me.
His name is Vic Joseph.
[Vic] That was a cheap shot. That was a beautiful splash.
Wasn't enough to get the three.
So, I also want to get your thoughts on something real quick--
-[Booker] Oh, baby! -As this match right now, for Lash Legend,
-showing that power, and now… -[Booker] Oh, yeah!
[Booker] Ring Barbell! Ring Barbell! Oh, yeah!
Big award. A one-hit wonder back in the day, man.
Beautiful song, though.
[Vic] Up top. Well, you're full of them already here tonight, Booker.
Uh-- Over goes Jaida, trying to get Lash down.
And Lash again overpowering.
-Nice sense of balance. -[Booker] Not just that.
Overpower is like you just wouldn't have balance.
Balance came into play right there from Lash.
[Vic] Got to get your thoughts on the news from Monday Night RAW.
Vaquer, Sky for the Women's World title at Wrestlepalooza.
[Booker] I'll tell you right now.
Iyo Sky's truly, if not the best,
she's one of the best, and she's highly ranked, as far as I'm concerned.
And that's gonna be a matchup of all--
Don't miss out.
Don't get shutout because it's gonna be good.
[Vic] Right now, Jaida Parker showcasing some strategy,
trying to wear down Lash Legend in this match-up.
And now trying to roll right over and rolling up in an near fall.
And Jaida Parker showing you that she's been in the gym.
Crucifix, kick-out. She's been studying.
She's pulling out new plays from a new playbook here tonight.
[Booker] You said it.
Playbook is the one thing
that I think the young talent don't focus on enough, you know.
They think they're going to go out there
and be able to hit that one big shot and pull it off.
But sometimes the opponent, like Lash Legend,
you're going to have to go a little bit deeper.
[Vic] Oh, these two, both with championship aspirations.
Everyone targeting Jacy Jayne.
Jane, of course, faces Lola Vice
for the NXT Women's title, September 27, No Mercy.
Don't miss us in Fort Lauderdale, and a reminder tonight.
Women's Speed tournament begins tonight.
TNA wrestler Xia Brookside, SmackDown superstar Candice LeRae
trying to fight their way to face Sol Ruca at No Mercy.
But this has been a fight back and forth, 50-50.
And, well, there you see it.
Je'Von Evans. Je'Von Evans--
And no one has heard from Je'Von since Heatwave.
He appears to have arrived here tonight at the Performance Center, and a slip!
-[Booker exclaims] -[Vic] But still
getting right into Lash, and the cover, and a kick out.
-[Booker] Being on the top rope-- -Wow! Another cover
and another kick-out by Lash.
[Booker] Being on that top rope is a tricky situation.
Your balance come into play.
I mean, you've got a lot going on. The top rope could be slippery.
Anything could happen right there.
[Vic] I also think for Jaida, we talked about that playbook.
She knows she needs to bring something different to take out
someone the caliber of superstar as-- Oh! Lash Legend.
But, Booker, I will pass you the baton.
[Booker] Oh, here we go, baby!
We're going up top-- Oh, no!
-[Vic] "Oh, no," indeed! -What the hell
[Booker] What the hell!
[Vic] Just got caught
[Booker] Lash one step ahead, and we're going for a ride!
Oh, yes, man!
[Vic] Massive choke slam from Lash.
Into the cover, and a near fall.
But there was not a lot on that kick-out from Jaida Parker.
Lash Legend is in control.
Can Jaida bounce back here on NXT?
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Boujee Bully has been in control of this match-up.
And if you break this down, Booker,
it's all about dominance, is it not?
Who wants to be the most dominant?
-Who wants bragging rights? -It's definitely gonna come into play.
[Booker] But dominance does not trump being smart
in the middle of the ring.
Both of these ladies are powerhouses, Vic.
It's going to come down to who has that, oh, yes, the IQ, perspective.
[Vic] Well, the splash did not work for the Boujee Bully
Jaida Parker now. Neither of these women play around.
They tell you how it is, they speak their mind.
They're not going to back down from one another.
And back up, and now it's Jaida getting right back into the fight.
Jaida Parker, she's, she's just sucking it up right now.
She's just gonna throw it all out and see exactly what happened.
Roll the dice if you want a slice.
That's what it's all about.
Jaida Parker, really, for the first time since that choke slam earlier,
that you called out, is getting back into the game!
Flying shoulder tackle.
And right now, Jaida Parker is fired up!
And she's rallying behind the NXT Universe here tonight.
Trying to string together a little bit of offense,
maybe looking for possibly a bulldog.
Instead, turning it around center of the ring, looking for a super plex.
[Booker] I saw that coming right there. Looked like Jaida Parker was waking--
and got caught, but-- Oh, baby!
Turned it around, backstabber.
[Vic] And now it's Last Legend who is feeling the pain,
the tingle in her spine.
-Can Jaida Parker put away Lash Legend? -[Booker] Oh, baby!
[crowd exclaims]
[Vic] Into the cover, center of the ring.
[crowd] One! Two!
[Vic] Ooh! And Lash…
just able to kick out.
[Booker] So close. So close. That little-- Got caught with that little
-mini blockbuster right there! -[Vic] Boom!
Bam! Say it, Vic. It's not boom.
It's "Bam!" You gotta hit it, man.
[Vic] She was looking for the Hypnotic, got countered by Lash.
Legend right now hoisting up…
[Booker] Oh, yes! Oh, my God!
[Vic] And that back-breaker
-just bent Jaida Parker. -One! Two!
Who is able to kick-out yet again!
[Booker] Still quick, Jaida Parker, here tonight.
[crowd cheering]
[chanting] Jaida! Jaida!
[Vic] Oh, sidestepping!
Lash, though-- Booker, Lash just ate that steel post… shoulder first!
And I passed it to you once.
I'm gonna pass that baton
-back to you! -[Booker] Oh, baby!
Looks like we're gonna get ready to set it up! This for the people!
-Oh, yes, man! -[crowd exclaims]
A little high step! High step!
That's them Tigers, man!
[Vic] Jaida feeling it! NXT Universe as well.
-Parker hoisting up Lash! -[Booker] Don't waste no time.
You better get it done!
[Vic] Samoan drop.
Trying to hold on! Lash trying to get away!
[Lash screams]
[Vic] And Lash…
I mean, Lash just pulled Jade out.
[Booker] Great job there by Lash
because that could have been a three-count.
[Vic exclaiming]
-Able to break for a moment-- -[all exclaiming]
[Booker] Oh, yes! Beautiful punt kick. Beautiful punt kick.
[Vic] You can say that again.
That punt kick right on the jaw!
And what-- Referee, get 'em in the ring!
And Book, Lash…
looking for…
a Lash Extension right here on our announce desk!
And Lash doing the smart thing here, Book,
getting Jaida right back into the ring.
These two have gone at it since the bell.
And just for good measure, bam!
-[Booker] Oh! -[Vic] A second Lash Extension.
[referee] One! Two! Three!
-And it's Lash who's victorious. -[bell rings]
["Get It Girl" playing]
[Mike] Here is your winner,
Lash Legend!
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] That was certainly a hard-fought victory
for Lash Legend.
That was after…
the Lash Extension right here in front of us on the announce desk.
-It took not one but two -[bell rings]
to keep down Jaida Parker here tonight.
Book, Book! Booker!
[Booker] Oh, yes!
It ain't over! The party's not over.
-[Vic] You can say that again! -The party's not over.
[Lash screams]
Gary Wilson, the official!
I kind of feel bad for him now!
He better get the hell out the way!
[Booker] A lot of frustration coming out of Jaida Parker
right here, man!
-Oh, yes! -[crowd exclaiming]
Oh, yes!
[Vic] Hypnotic! Through the barricade!
[Jaida yelling indistinctly]
[referee 2] Get out! That's enough! Come on!
[Vic] And I think it's safe to say, Booker,
the issues between these two far from over.
And remember that! I'm Jaida Parker!
It ain't over till I say so!
Hate to interrupt whatever this is.
See you later.
Hey, I don't think we've been properly introduced.
And I have to say, I am a fan of all of this.
Me too.
Is that Lash Sensational?
Yeah, Maybelline, and I have an extra, if you want it.
Finally! A woman with some taste around here.
-In glamor and in makeup. -Ooh, thank you.
After Heatwave, I felt like I was done with JG.
But I guess I was wrong, since she interrupted me last week
and cost me my match.
Don't tell anybody this, but, um…
I don't really love JG.
And just so you know, we are not related, like at all!
-What a relief! Oh! -I know.
You! I'm done with you!
[clamoring]
Stay back!
-Oh, perfect. She's gone-- -Hey, man!
This is your second time doing that.
First you messed up my NXT debut. Now this.
This place don't revolve around you, and it never will.
You thought you had problems with Blake Monroe?
Now you got problems with Kali Armstrong.
Is she serious?
[Vic] That's something to keep our eyes on.
But this is a man we haven't heard from since Heatwave.
The young OG is ready to speak.
It happens next.
♪ Your boy is bouncy! ♪
["Who Want It" playing]
♪ Yo, let's go! ♪
♪ Who want it? ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Mike] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
Je'Von Evans!
[Vic] And Booker, you've got to feel for this guy, don't you?
You've got to understand what he's gone through since Heatwave.
[Booker] Yeah, I do, but uh…
One thing about this game, you never take yourself out of this…
Time off.
These are the words said to me 'cause somebody's
always ready to steal your spot.
So come get his, get it in. But don't do anything rash, man.
Stay in the game because you are about to smash that glass ceiling, Young OG!
That's my advice to the young man.
So close!
So close.
Appreciate you. Appreciate you, appreciate you.
-[crowd cheering] -[clears throat]
Um…
Look, I know,
I know y'all expect me to come out and be excited
and find the positives out of everything.
Um…
But after Heatwave, I don't think I can do that.
-[man 1] What? -Um…
-[crowd muttering] -Uh…
Yeah. Look, I…
I thought I had it in the bag.
I thought I had it
when… when…
when I beat Trick Williams in Philadelphia.
And I had great,
great advice from legends from GOATs.
I've had great opportunities since I've been here in NXT.
But the night that he wavered, it felt different. You feel me?
Um…
Look, but I…
[spectator 1] It felt wrong.
I'm sorry, hold on.
[crowd cheering]
[spectator 2] You did it!
Uh…
I appreciate you.
Appreciate you.
Brother.
the feelings are coming back. Um…
I felt nervous, you know, the butterflies were getting to me.
Hell, even I felt like the walls were talking to me because I felt like
if there was gonna be any night that I was gonna be NXT Champion,
it was going to be the night the heat waived.
You feel me? I I was excited.
Um, I was I was strong.
I was walking out with my with my chest out,
you know what I mean? I even called my baby sister
and told her, "Hey, your older brother
is about to be the youngest NXT Champion in history.
And…
[crowd cheering]
And, um…
I didn't do that, you feel me?
I'm not…
But I thought I was.
[chuckles] I thought I was 'cause I heard the crowd erupt.
I heard the ref hand hit three, but then I see Oba's foot
under the rope.
[crowd booing]
And the moment… the moment I reacted to that,
was the moment that Oba capitalized,
and next thing you know,
I see his hand up raised in the air.
[spectators exclaim indistinctly]
Um…
And personally like, I want to apologize 'cause, like, I let y'all down.
[crowd chanting "No"]
You feel me? No, no, no, no.
[chanting continues]
I hear y'all.
I hear y'all. But I let y'all down,
and I felt like… I felt like I let myself down.
[crowd chanting "We still love you"]
I appreciate that.
Um, I appreciate that. Um…
Look, I…
[crowd chanting "You got this"]
I felt like I had this in the bag, bro.
You know… [stutters]
I ignored everybody.
I ignored the PC, bro. I didn't talk to no coaches.
I didn't talk to none of my family members for a good week.
-And I told myself that… -[engine revving]
[motorcycle approaching]
[motorcycle halts]
Look, bro,
I'm not trying to do the games right now, bro.
Come on, now. Just let me talk.
-All right? Let me talk. I started-- -[motorcycle engine revving]
[crowd exclaiming indistinctly]
All right, Look.
No way. Come on. [stutters]
There's no way--
-[The Undertaker's theme plays] -[crowd cheering]
[crowd continues cheering]
["Journey Ahead" playing]
[Booker T cackling]
Oh, were you expecting someone else?
[mixed cheers]
Take away here to save you with some words of wisdom.
-[Booker T laughing] -[crowd booing]
[Briggs] Come on, man.
Je'Von, you're immature.
[crowd continues booing]
You are everything that I hate about the NXT locker room, bro.
You're 21.
You're already main-eventing PLEs.
You're getting title match after title match after title match.
Look [stutters] I understand what you're saying.
I already know what you're about to say.
"You have all these opportunities, you got top," and respectfully, Josh,
I'm not trying to hear that right now, all right?
-I'm not trying to hear that. -[crowd chanting "You suck"]
Keep it up. I'm gonna take it out on him.
[crowd booing]
Your problem
is you just think it's okay to wait.
It's not, brother.
You're from a generation where you got a problem with something,
and you just tweet about it.
What you should have done instead was walk up to Oba,
put your finger in his face and demand a rematch.
-But you didn't. -[crowd booing]
And because of that, Ricky just stepped up right over you
and became the No. 1 Contender.
[crowd chanting "Shut the hell up"]
-Look, look, uh-- -Yeah, I ain't done. Shut up.
[crowd continues chanting "Shut the hell up"]
You know what, Je'Von? Try this.
Try being me.
Try waiting for years for an opportunity, knowing that you are better
than every single person in that damn locker room.
Try it!
Look… [stutters]
Josh, I'm trying to be nice.
I'm telling you respectfully, you're trying to big-bro me right now.
-I'm not in the mood for that. -I am not done talking.
Put that down and listen to me.
[crowd chanting "Briggs, the door"]
I know that you just want someone to come out here and motivate you.
Give you your gold star, right?
-That ain't me. -[crowd booing]
The truth is,
you ain't ever gonna beat Oba.
Bro, you're good,
but you ain't good enough. And you're proving that right now.
Oh, okay. So, now you know me, right? You know me?
[Joseph] Oh!
What are you laughing at?
You think this is funny?
[Booker T] Protect yourself at all times, young blood.
Kid, you're gonna need to learn when to fight and when to lay down.
[Booker T] Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
You see what I'm sayin'? You see what I'm sayin'?
[Joseph] What the hell is this?
I wish Briggs would have fell off that damn bike onto a porcupine.
What's he doing now, Book?
[Booker T] Kid about to check his ass. Kid Cash.
-That's what's going on. -[Joseph] What did he say?
He was speaking his feelings. No!
[Booker T] I told you. Mind your own damn business sometimes.
Hey, I'm just saying.
-[crowd booing] -["Journey Ahead" playing]
[announcer] Time for tonight's NXT Focus.
I have competed against some of the best the world has to offer.
From Mae Young Classic,
to NXT UK.
And now in TNA.
Tonight, I make my NXT debut against Candice LeRae.
She may be the former Speed Champion, but she is not stopping me
from becoming the next Speed Champion.
The Poison Pixi is back in NXT to reclaim what's mine.
Xia, you're just a stepping stone on my path to Sol Ruca
and becoming two-time Speed Champion.
All right, guys. No Mercy is a few weeks away.
I know tension between you two is a little bit tight,
but tonight is a moment for all of us.
Listen, the two of you can get revenge
on DarkState tonight for what they did to you last week.
And tonight, if we win, I got a feeling
Hank and I might get a shot to get those tag team titles back.
-Maybe a little tag-team rematch action. -Maybe
Oba, you see that guy right there?
That is "The Absolute" Ricky Saints.
That guy oozes charisma. He's the leader of the revolution.
He's gonna be the leader for us tonight, Big Dawg. Come on.
-I hear you. -Yeah.
You hear that, Ricky? Ricky? Ricky, look at me.
Look away!
Look at Oba. Now, right there
is the most dominant and NXT Champion of all time.
He is a conqueror of men, a ruler of men. Oba Femi.
Tonight, Ricky, he's got your back.
Come on, you ain't gotta tell me twice.
-[both exclaiming indistinctly] -If things doesn't exactly work out,
Hank and Tank got a little plan, something loaded up in the barrel.
-It's pretty good. -And it sounds like--
-[exclaims] No. -Hey! Not yet, Hanky. Not yet.
-All right. -We'll see you two in the ring first.
-Let's go hit catering one more time. -Calorie counter.
Caloric intake never hurt nobody. Especially not Hank.
Your friends, huh?
No. But I do know you better be locked in tonight, Champ.
Don't worry about me.
-Worry about yourself. -Always.
[Joseph] Eight-Man main event still to come.
["Where I Belong" playing]
[bell dings]
[Rome] The following is a first-round Speed Tournament Match,
with a three-minute time limit.
Introducing first, from Liverpool, England,
Xia Brookside.
[Joseph] The Angel of the Ring.
Huge opportunity for Brookside. A TNA wrestler to make it to the finals
and possibly bring NXT WWE gold to TNA.
♪ I'm sorry that I can't be perfect ♪
♪ But I'm not changing who I am ♪
♪ Maybe there's no destination ♪
♪ Maybe I'm gonna make mistakes ♪
♪ I'll let you in On one of my secrets… ♪
["Poison Pixie" playing]
[Joseph] Well, here's someone who is no stranger to NXT.
[Rome] And her opponent from Riverside, California,
Candice LeRae.
[Joseph] First ever Speed Women's Champion.
She is two matches from a rematch with Sol Ruca,
the woman who took that title from her and Speed matches,
to be blunt, Booker, are fast-paced, non-stop
[Booker T] Quick, agile, mobile, versatile.
Might get quite hostile here tonight.
I'm looking forward to this, man. This is my first Speed Match.
And it's about to be on like a steaming pot of…
-[bell dings] -[Joseph] Three-minute time limit.
You see the clock in the bottom right.
It's all about speed, it's all about precision.
It's all about being able to put your opponent away rather quickly.
And for Candice LeRae, she's the one who's been in these matches.
Xia, with a cover and a kick out.
Poison Pixie back in NXT for the first time since 2021.
An early homecoming of sorts.
Of course, we return to Full Sail two weeks from tonight
for NXTs Homecoming, and it's a homecoming kind of
for Xia Brookside, who competed in NXT UK
and the Mae Young Classic, as we saw before the break.
But 30 seconds gone from the clock
as Xia with a hurricanrana taking down Candice LeRae,
the winner of this tournament faces Sol Ruca at No Mercy,
our next premium live event, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, September 27th.
[crowd exclaims]
[Booker T] You talkin', seems like you've been taking a little [mumbles]
-…step back. [laughing] -[Joseph] I heard you.
You're gonna get us kicked off the air. Russian leg sweep, cover and a kick out.
I guarantee you I would pass the test,
as Xia Brookside, in control of this matchup
as the first 60 seconds has gone.
Two minutes remaining in this Speed Matchup.
[Booker T] Candice LeRae's been getting a lot of high praise
from the upper echelon talent on the main roster.
Let's see exactly what she does in the Speed Match.
She has a little bit more experience,
and is experience is going to come into play in a match so quick,
like the Speed Match?
[Joseph] Well, you see Candice looking up and saw the clock approaching 90 seconds.
If she doesn't get a victory, then next week's matchups, would assumedly,
that that winner would go to the finals.
Getting caught was Candice,
rolled through, near fall with a buck 26 and counting.
Candice, right back, baby! Ooh, that was precision.
[Booker T] Right on the button.
[Joseph] It was Candice who defeated Iyo Sky to become the first-ever
Women's Speed Champion, held that title for 188 days.
But right now, experience not helping. Dropped is Candice.
Into the cover goes Xia.
And, oh, Brookside, almost with the upset.
[Booker T] Could Brookside win this match and put herself in line
to win championship and take it to TNA?
-That would be huge, man. -[Joseph] Ooh, Book, see the… Around us?
We're under 60 seconds. Time now, becoming the factor.
Fifty-two seconds.
We're inside the final 50 seconds.
And Candice has been here before. Xia has not.
Xia, right now, trying to get Candice down.
Candice holding on and bam!
-[Booker T] Oh, baby! -[Joseph] Tornado DDT out of the corner.
[Booker T] Thirty-seven seconds left.
[Joseph] Oh, senton to the lower back.
Candice, one more time.
Moonsault connects, 30 seconds, into the cover.
-[bell dings] -Candice, the first to advance.
[Rome] Here is your winner,
Candice LeRae.
[Joseph] We said it would be fast-paced. We said it would be non-stop.
[Booker T] It was quick. Congratulations, Candice LeRae.
[Joseph] Go back to some of this action again
as the clock was counting down, there was that tornado DDT
out of the corner with just under 40 seconds left.
Candice knew she had to hurry.
She hit that springboard moonsault,
and LeRae, the first to advance in this tournament.
And let's take a look at the updated bracket.
Candice LeRae has advanced.
You see next week's matchup to make it to the semifinals.
We're gonna find out who takes their next step
towards a possible championship opportunity next week.
Right here on NXT.
[indistinct chatter]
[Briggs clears throat]
No, go ahead, keep talking.
You ain't got the balls to say something to my face.
I'm sure you'll send a tweet about it, right?
No, I got the balls to tell you that what you did to Je'Von really sucked.
Yeah, bro, I'm with him.
You're supposed to be the locker room leader,
and you're just bullying everybody, bro. You've just been like, a huge jerk lately.
I'll do whatever the hell I want.
You two runts ain't gonna do a damn thing about it.
Okay, Briggs, you've made your point. Just let it go.
You're right. It's not their fault. Just like Je'Von,
they got someone filling their head with some great advice.
But at least Taker has some damn credentials.
-Who the hell are you? -Briggs, you know--
That's enough!
Mr. Chase is gonna teach you some respect tonight.
Yeah. We got this, Mr. Chase. You know, we'll go talk to Ava right now.
-He's gonna school you. -Yeah.
[sighs]
-Okay-- -Ava!
[continues indistinctly]
I'm sorry. Did we get invited to the wrong meeting?
No, you're right on time.
So, I wanted to talk to you guys because I've been talking to Nick Aldis
and Adam Pearce, and I really want a team from NXT to get a tag title opportunity.
-[all exclaim excitedly] -See?
That's the opportunity you've been looking for, Jazmyn.
Unfortunately, Jacy, opportunities aren't for losers
Tatum and I beat Wren and Kedal last week.
Remember, Ava? Tizzi deserves a title show.
Okay. Well, the last time I checked, Zaria and I won our last match.
So, with that logic, shouldn't we be the ones that are in this?
Actually, if I remember correctly, Lola Vice won that match.
Right, Fallon? [chuckles]
I'll ignore that look, and I'll ignore that comment
because one loss doesn't erase everything that Fatal influence has done
And are we forgetting what happened to Evolution's Aria?
-Oh. -All right.
Listen, I've already thought about all of this,
so that's why I brought you guys here.
Here's what's gonna happen.
Next week, there's gonna be a triple threat tag team elimination match.
Whoever wins will get a future tag title opportunity.
So go talk about your feelings elsewhere.
[overlapping chatter]
Booker, what do you make of that decision from our general manager?
It's about to get hot up in this mug. That's what I think about it.
-All right? -Well, that's taking place next week.
Let's talk about tonight, 'cause we already heard from the NXT Champion,
Oba Femi. His opponent at No Mercy, Ricky Saints,
and we heard from Hank and Tank.
Now let's hear from the other half of the equation in our massive
main event tonight, Dark State.
When them lights get to flashing.
[Vic] Dark State is on the scene.
Oba, Ricky, Hank and Tank, they already hip.
[Vic] Dark State has ushered in a dark era in NXT.
But the rest of the world still seem confused.
And the constant disrespect, being overlooked, being stepped over.
You see four renegades.
But you ain't know my dog Big O's was in the league
and the Saints ain't give him a fair shot.
You ain't know that on LFG. They told Cody he wasn't cut out for this life.
I was humiliated on national television.
If you guys came to my wrestling school,
I would have handed you your money back and I would have told you to go home.
They told me I wasn't entertaining enough for LFG and that I would never make it
in this business.
Best of luck in your future endeavors.
They tried to end my career before it even got started.
Hey, my boy Quan was like that on the indies though, right?
Just some real smooth talker, even smoother in the ring.
It took him six years to get to the WWE because he's too much of a wild card.
Then we got here. Got told, "Keep your head down."
Grind. It's all about timing in this business.
So I did that.
Sat around, watched the clock, and that got me nowhere.
Got pushed around by Trick Williams.
And Oba Femi told me that I would never be championship material.
You know, one day I'll be challenging you for that title.
What are y'all supposed to do? Stand there and do nothing?
Well, y'all being overlooked, we're paying our dues.
Doing security for Superstars were better than while perfecting our craft?
Man, we played y'all a little game.
We played the game because we seen the blueprint.
LA Knight, Trick, Bron Breakker, Jameis, hella people.
We're on from being security to superstars.
But old hothead over here wasn't trying to wait.
Why wait in line when you got the talent to skip it?
[bleep] this place!
Why take the disrespect from NXT superstars who could be bigger superstars?
They keep trying to push us down because they're afraid of what we got.
You're looking at four true future greats.
Potential don't pay our bills, but violence…
[Vic] It's a damn melee. Oh!
…damn sure will.
Not championship material, huh? Then tell me what I got in my hands, huh?
[Booker T] The landscape has shifted in the way of the Dark State.
Let's go with validation to everyone else.
But at us, it's redemption.
These is my brothers. Different background, same struggle.
Oba, Ricky, Hank and Tank, y'all just in the way like everybody else.
-[Booker T] Talk about a new era. -[Vic] No one is safe.
-[Booker T] This is it, man. -Because it ain't just a catchphrase.
-It's the damn truth. -When Dark State strike.
Ain't nobody safe.
[Vic] Main event still to come, but there is the TNA World Champion,
Trick Williams. What's on his mind? We're gonna find out live, next.
["Locked In" playing]
And we're back with the self-proclaimed greatest NXT superstar
-of all time. -Oh, yeah.
[Booker T] That's that boy, y'all.
What?
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome the TNA World Champion,
-[Booker T] Uh-huh. That's right. -Trick Williams.
That boy right there, look at him. He's got his camo on.
He's got that tie on. He's got his shield and his armor gear.
He's ready to go to war. That's that boy, Trick Williams.
-Give it up, man. -[Trick] Go ahead and cut that music.
Go ahead and cut that music.
Now, last week.
I did this promotional piece like only Trick Willie can.
And I came out here and I said some things that I meant.
And I stand ten toes down on it because it's real.
I looked at that camera on the CW Network and I said,
Trick Williams is the hottest and the greatest NXT superstar
who ever lived.
[all cheering]
But to my surprise, no one from the past.
None of your former NXT favorites made a whisper,
said a word, sent a Batman signal, nothing on the contrary.
Now that could be for one or two reasons.
One, they all know what I know,
that Trick Williams is indeed the hottest NXT superstar to ever live.
[all applauding]
Or two, they don't care about NXT anymore.
[audience exclaiming] Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Now, now, now that to me is crazy, because after all the hard work
that we put in.
The last three to four years, we've been busting our butts
right here in this very ring.
I see fans riding on buses, riding on scooters.
I even saw him walking here for five years, ten years,
doing everything they can for NXT, and they don't care about us?
Well, I gotta be real. If I'm gonna be real for a second,
I don't blame him one bit.
'Cause as soon as I move to Raw, SmackDown,
and I get my big contract,
my million-dollar house in the suburbs, y'all ain't never gonna see me again.
[Booker T laughs]
I ain't lying', y'all wish y'all had it too, you feel me?
I mean, y'all just need to realize, these guys, man, they do what they want.
They travel the world,
They all the way in Europe, they're in Paris.
They eating bologna and all type of stuff. You know, they doing what they want.
Can you blame them? I can't. You know?
So what I'm trying to tell y'all is,
all your favorites that you love, they don't love you.
[audience exclaiming]
["It's Our Moment" playing]
[audience cheering]
[Vic] Booker!
No.
Are they here?
They are.
Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa have come back home.
Get up. You always tell me to stand up. Get up.
[Booker T] What I always say, Vic,
concern yourself with business that concern you.
This is a mistake, this is a big mistake.
[crowd chanting] Welcome home! Welcome home! Welcome home!
First of all, we do love you.
[all cheering]
[crowd chanting]
We heard that NXT Homecoming is in two weeks,
but we decided to stop by a bit early 'cause you know what today is?
[audience] What?
Today is the ten-year anniversary of our NXT Debut.
[all cheering]
And Tommaso, look what we have here.
The greatest superstar in NXT history.
-I appreciate that, Johnny. -You're welcome.
You mean to tell me, of all the champions
and future Hall of Famers that nobody,
-Noone. -nobody is greater than Trick Williams?
Ooh, yeah.
I mean, he is a two-time NXT Champion.
But wait, but wait, Tommaso, aren't you also a two-time NXT Champion?
-[all cheering] -Yeah.
Matter of fact, I am a former two-time NXT Champion.
I love you, Goldie.
But Johnny, you held the NXT Title too. But the thing is, Trick Willie,
he also held the NXT North American Title.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. How many times did you hold that Title?
Oh, I held it three times, but who's three, right?
That's a lot of times.
One thing we cannot claim, though,
Trick Williams is the current TNA World Champion.
We did not win that.
But speaking of titles, you did one time win the NXT Tag Team Championship.
First ever crowned champion in NXT history. Yeah.
Come to think of it, I bet your partner was great.
I bet he had big muscles,
a beautiful bald head, a glorious beard.
I mean… I mean…
[audience chanting] Psycho killer. Psycho killer.
-But that does distract… -I mean, I…
I mean, he was okay. He was okay. He got a bit grumpy when the show
was over, and that little logo at the bottom of the screen would pop up.
But other than that, he was pretty fine, yeah.
But, guys, your résumé, Trick, speaks for itself.
But the greatest superstar in NXT history, I think the jury may still be out
on that one.
'Cause I've seen a lot of great men and women walk that aisle.
[all cheering]
It didn't matter if you were a Demon or a Hugger, Undisputed or Glorious.
One thing we all had in common is our love and our passion for these people
and this brand.
[all cheering]
Speaking of which, speaking of all this alumni,
there were two guys,
Two guys who kind of defined an era of NXT.
Two guys who bled Black and Gold. Two guys who carved their own path,
matter of fact, Trick.
Two guys. Take these stupid glasses off while I'm talking to you.
Two guys who paved the way for you to be standing in this very ring.
And it's a tag team I think you're all familiar with.
Three letters, D-I-Y.
[all cheering]
[crowd chanting] D-I-Y! D-I-Y! D-I-Y!
-D-I-Y! -D-I-Y!
Tommaso Ciampa, don't you ever get this twisted.
Don't you put your hands on me again
'cause you can't even beat my girl's ass. Let's talk about it.
[audience exclaiming]
But I came out here
not to disrespect, to show love because of everything
y'all done in the past, right? I mean, you are Johnny Takeover.
[indistinct chatter]
You are the Blackheart.
And y'all done great things. Let's talk about it, right?
I mean, they sit here and told everybody all the accolades
and everything that was so great.
And then Trick Williams came in.
Like a thief in the night, he took your awards, he took your accolades
and kicked it back to medieval times, back to where it belongs.
Don't get it twisted, Johnny.
Don't get it twisted, Tommaso.
[crowd chanting]
Trick Williams is still carrying Mello and still the greatest NXT superstar
of all time. Let's talk about it.
Tommaso, do you wanna talk about it?
Talk about it? I don't think I wanna talk--
[Vic] Are we talking about things getting chippy earlier?
[Booker T] Haters, man, haters. That's what they are.
-Are we gonna see it? -That's what they are, man.
-[Vic] Not haters. -[Booker T] A couple of haters.
[Vic] It's been a long time.
[crowd chanting] D-I-Y! D-I-Y! D-I-Y!
Trick may be rethinking some of his statements,
because DIY may be on SmackDown,
but they'll forever be NXT.
I just told you I'm straight. Is he okay?
Yes, I'm good. Where's Josh?
He is getting ready for his match with Andre Chase.
-Appreciate you. -No, listen.
-I'm not trying to hear that. -I don't care.
Look, I know you, okay? So I'll make you a deal.
If you promise me that you're not gonna interfere in Briggs' match tonight,
you can have him one on one next week, okay?
I'll see him next week. Can you guys please escort him out?
-Come on, come on, let's go. -You gave me your word.
[clicks tongue]
She has been the most dominant force since WWE Evolve started.
She doesn't chase greatness, she makes greatness chase her.
She is your first ever Evolve Women's Champion,
Callie Armstrong, the incredible,
dynamic athlete known as Too Strong.
I rewrite them history books every time I step in the ring.
I've been doing that my whole life.
When I get to NXT, they know who the difference maker is.
-You forgot something last week, bud. -All right.
-I'm good. I'm good. -This was a gift.
Keep it. It's for you. I figured you wanted to be as close
to a flag as possible that actually represented true patriotism.
-Dishonor. Disgracefulness. -Okay.
No, no, please, Ava, allow this pompous American to continue to cut down my flag.
The Canadian flag that represents 40 million of us.
40 million, by the way, they look to that flag.
-for guidance, sir. -Stop putting words in my mouth, bruh!
I ain't got beef with $40 million.
I got beef with one maple syrup sipping-ass Canadian!
That's you, okay?
Ethan, you are not excellent. Hell, you're barely even satisfactory.
You keep looking around for some symbol of excellence.
Quit looking at that vandalized title and look at an American flag.
No, Tavion. I will not acknowledge your flag.
-Okay, so here's what is going on-- -"Here's what we're gonna do."
Lemme guess. You're gonna make a flag match.
-Ethan, shut up. -Oh, no, no. Please do it.
Shut up. Look, I wasn't going to make a flag match,
but since I can see it bothers you, it is now.
No! [screams]
-Next week. -Yeah.
And you know what? You'll acknowledge the American flag then.
Great. Great. Oh, no.
[Vic] It has been another busy night for our general manager.
["Gotta Go" playing]
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, she is the Evolve Women's Champion,
Kali Armstrong!
[Vic] Let's go back to what Kali was alluding to earlier tonight.
It was nearly a month ago, in a match against Karmen Petrovic here on NXT.
It was for the Evolve Women's Championship,
and it was Jordynne Grace who came out here
and interrupted everything that was going on.
And, look, for Jordynne Grace,
there's been a lot of things going through her mind, a lot of emotions.
That was really the start of some of those issues.
[Booker T] Frustration buildup for Jordynne Grace.
Came out and interrupted…
Oh, wait a minute.
["Win" playing]
[Booker T] Oh, yeah!
[announcer] And her opponent, from Austin, Texas,
Jordynne Grace!
[Vic] To get back to your thought, Book, is she too emotional?
Is she out of control? Sort of?
-[Booker T] Grace? -[Vic] Yeah.
[Booker T] You know, I mean, perhaps.
I mean, Jordynne's got a lot on her mind. She came to NXT, highly talented,
thought she was gonna step into the kitchen
and cook up something real nice, like a championship around her waist.
It had to happen. And now, we see the perfection falling over.
I think that's all it is.
[Vic] There is a championship around the waist of Kali Armstrong
that Evolve Women's Championship, as these two get set to tangle.
And the push we saw earlier, in my opinion, Booker,
this is my opinion, was Grace getting caught up in the moment.
She stormed into a room.
She saw Blake Monroe. She started seeing red.
I don't think that was something towards Kali Armstrong.
[Booker T] I mean, of course.
Look at the shots there. Of course, Grace, like I said,
she's got other things to deal with, outside interests, as far as Blake Monroe.
But right now, she has to deal with what's going on
inside the middle of the squared circle. And that's Kali Armstrong.
Kali Armstrong right now taking care of business!
That's what it's all about!
[Vic] Kali Armstrong showing you
what the talent level is on Evolve.
Of course, she has just mowed down the competition, has Kali Armstrong.
This is someone who some consider to be the measuring stick on all of Evolve,
not just the women's division, all of them all.
Kali holds a victory… Ready for this?
Holds a victory over Natalya earlier this summer.
[Booker T] Kali comes with a lot of confidence,
but I'll tell you, being the Evolve Champion gives her
that cloak of invincibility,
that extra 30% that I always talk about. She's gonna need it in this match.
[Vic] Regardless of what happened earlier,
Kali did take exception to that shove.
And are the actions we saw earlier
why there is a target on the back of Jordynne Grace?
[Booker T] Like I said, I think so.
Jordynne Grace came in very, very highly touted.
Someone who definitely thought she should move up the ladder
And it hadn't happened. And right now, she's looking to,
like I say, go out there and make her own breaks.
And I like that from Grace, not sticking her head in the sand
or anything like that. Just taking it straight up. I like that.
[Vic] And now, look, Camel Clutch applied, cinched in deep.
And Jordynne, if you can read her lips and ask her,
she is punishing, right now, Armstrong in this moment.
It's been a busy night for our general manager.
Just saw what happened between Heights and Ethan Page.
How about that triple threat eliminator next week?
The winner will face the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions.
[Booker T] But like I said, let's focus on what's going on with Kali.
She's in the biggest match of her career here.
Even though she's the Evolve Champion,
this is the biggest match of Armstrong's career right here tonight.
[Vic] Able to counter for a moment. Kali creating a little bit of separation.
Right back at…Oh, big sharp elbow from Armstrong.
And Armstrong really starting to apply the pressure.
Armstrong, impressive.
Are we on the verge of an upset?
[Vic] Evolve Women's Champion Kali Armstrong
is putting on a show here in this match against Jordynne Grace.
And I would say that, to those watching around the world,
it may have caught some off guard.
You have to like the confidence in Armstrong.
[Booker T] She's got great confidence. And right now, this match has been 50-50.
I mean, Kali Armstrong is holding her own against one of the best,
someone who has won titles.
Grace said it herself, she's won titles everywhere she's gone.
[Vic] Grace, the veteran, looking for the backslide.
Armstrong, a USC track and field standout, just got dropped by The Juggernaut.
[Booker T] Maintaining control,
but Grace right now looking to do something big, looking for a kill shot!
-Oh, yeah! -[Vic] Fell right into the cover!
And Armstrong's left shoulder just getting off the mat.
And for the most part even throughout, when we've questioned Armstrong,
she has been able to match strength with Jordynne Grace.
[Booker T] Definitely, she's matched with Grace.
I talk about being in that situation. Sometimes, you gotta be smart.
You got to go deep into your playbook.
And right now, we're getting deep in those deep waters between the ladies.
[Vic] And, again, the Evolve Champion showcasing what Evolve is all about!
Into the cover, hook of the leg.
And a near fall.
Can you imagine if Kali Armstrong is able to win this match?
When she walks back to that locker room,
she's gonna have ultimate bragging rights.
Coming right back in.
-Picking up steam! -[Booker T] Lot of momentum!
[both exclaiming]
[Vic] Just got dropped with that back fist.
And The Juggernaut entering right into beast mode!
[crowd] One! Two!
[Vic] And Grace picks up a much-needed win.
[announcer] Here is your winner, Jordynne Grace!
[Vic] And I say "much-needed" because some say Grace
is just holding on to that vendetta with Blake--
-["Glamour Is Forever" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Booker T] Oh, baby!
[Vic] Well, Blake Monroe.
We saw what happened between these two earlier.
-And they're slugging it out! -[Booker T] Here we go! Here we go!
[Vic] Oh!
And The Juggernaut taking it right to The Glamour.
We need a lot out here to try to separate these two women.
[all clamoring]
[crowd chanting] Let them fight! Let them fight!
[Vic] Booker, the look in Blake's eyes
is that of a woman from hell looking to scorch NXT.
[announcer] Here is your winner
and the new number-one contender to the NXT Women's Championship,
Lola Vice!
[Vic] Things are about to get spicy in the women's division.
Are we looking at the next Women's Champion?
[upbeat instrumental music playing]
[Vice] The best way to describe growing up in a Hispanic household
is being told by your parents at a very young age
that everyone has a sad story.
Now, are you gonna take the pain and make excuses,
or are you gonna make your dreams come true?
For me…
Option two.
I'm a Cubana raised in Miami.
Miami isn't just where I'm from, it's who I am.
It's not just a city, it's a heartbeat and everything I love about my culture.
It's…
Salsa on every corner.
Saying…
We're just born with it.
Being a Latina is one thing,
but being a Miami Latina is a whole other thing.
And when you're Cuban-American, you don't grow up soft.
You grow up together, loud, passionate, close, and loyal.
Get over here!
I left this house at 18 years old to take a chance on myself in the cage.
I haven't been back here for the past nine years
because for the past nine years, I've chased a dream bigger than myself.
This house is on Calle Ocho, which is like a mini Cuba.
I didn't just grow up with culture, I grew up inside of it,
taking a piece of it everywhere I go.
Every Latino knows,
we never grow up wondering what a life away from home looks like.
All there ever is, is home.
And to me, somewhere between dreaming and living, that's Miami,
because here, I feel closest to Cuba.
I call my mom every day, and I pray every night.
There's no "If I can,"
it's "When I can."
[Mily Loureda] Lola has always been a star.
Her father and I always encouraged her to be herself.
Her passion and dedication has always shined through.
[Francesca Loureda] She's such a role model to me.
All the little girls, seeing everyone wear Lola Vice shirts
makes me so proud to be your sister, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
[Mily] Today, seeing her chase her dream makes us so proud.
She truly is and always be our Lola.
You met my mom. Now, wait until you meet my daughter.
There's a reason why I put so much pressure on myself.
["Accomplished" playing]
[Vic] We are set for one-on-one action. Andre Chase taking on Josh Briggs.
Been a busy night for Briggs, who's just never in a good mood.
Why does this man despise the entire NXT locker room?
[Booker T] What are you talking about?
[Vic] What he said and did to Je'Von Evans.
What he did and said to Chase.
[Booker T] This is a guy that's been here for four years.
He's wants to get a piece of the action.
But right now, he's frustrated. Maybe that's the reason.
Maybe somebody should be talking about that, huh?
What about that, Vic?
[Vic] Connors and Dixon on the outside. And Andre Chase's students didn't, uh,
help him earlier tonight, as he has found his way into this match against Briggs.
[Booker T] Lemme tell you, he's the principal, right? He's the coach?
[Vic] He's not the principal. There's no principals in…
What college did you go to that had a principal? What are you talking about?
It's not high school, Booker!
It's a damn university!
And Andre Chase just got caught.
And bad intentions in the eyes of Josh Briggs.
Briggs in control here on NXT.
[Vic] Briggs has really been in control, as Andre Chase, right now,
coming right back in, looking for that DDT!
And Andre Chase into the cover.
For the University!
Near fall.
And Andre Chase would love to have his University
operating at a high level before NXT Homecoming in two weeks
at Full Sail University.
Our official In this match, Adrian Butler, didn't get to three.
It was a near fall. And right back in comes Briggs.
And look, Josh Briggs really angered a lot of people earlier tonight,
-including Je'Von Evans. -[Booker T] Oh, yeah!
[Vic] Off the combination offense into the cover.
And a kick-out. Came in trying to replicate The Undertaker,
mocking The Undertaker. And he didn't look like The Undertaker.
He looked like the American Lameass when he made his way out here.
[Booker T] Big Josh… [chuckling] Hey, look at him.
[Vic] That one gets ya? I'll let you catch yourself.
[Booker T] He's not looking to make anybody happy or make friends.
Josh Briggs, like I said, is looking to make a point.
And the thing is, he's need to be… He's frustrated. Of course he is.
But that frustration is coming out tonight on Chase.
-That's the way I see it. -[Vic] Why does Briggs, then,
feel the need to get in everyone's business?
Former friends, Chase U tonight.
Hell, Je'Von Evans, even, earlier tonight.
You say it all the time,
stay out of business that doesn't concern you.
Briggs has put himself in people's business.
And Andre Chase is beating some respect into Briggs!
[Booker T] Come on, man. Right now, Chase is looking real good,
but can he keep it going? That's the question with this guy.
[Vic] Able to roll right through. Coming right back in. And, oh!
[Booker T] Didn't I tell you?
-Didn't I tell you? -[Vic] Boss Man Slam.
[Booker T] I'd defend against this dude now, dawg.
-Oh! -[Vic] Oh, no! That was a stunner!
A counter into a stunner!
Gotta wonder what Je'Von Evans is thinking watching this right now,
[Booker T] That wasn't illegal.
[Vic] He wants to get his hands on Briggs.
But right now, the moment could be for Chase!
-[Booker T] No way! -[Vic exclaims]
[Vic] Got to be kidding me!
[crowd jeering]
[crowd chanting] That was three! That was three!
[Booker T] Crowd a little dissatisfied with the ref right here.
[Vic] Gotta stay focused, though, for Chase.
Measuring. Has Briggs in the crosshairs.
Right into the shoulder, rocking Briggs.
You see Briggs trying to shake it off.
Chase following with a second one. Andre Chase throwing everything he's got.
But Briggs…
This is that new anger. This is that rage you were talking about.
-Just like earlier. -[Booker T] Oh, yeah, baby!
-[Vic] Another massive chokeslam. -[Booker T] From hell.
Here we go. Good night!
Size 16 right across the face.
And Briggs just canceled class for the rest of the week.
[announcer] Here is your winner, Josh Briggs!
[Vic] Connors not happy.
Kale… Hey!
-[Booker T] Oh, baby! -[Vic] The hell does this mean? Connors!
Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no.
You see the look in Briggs's eyes. Hey, hey, hey!
[crowd exclaiming]
["Journey Ahead" playing]
[Vic] Well, Briggs…
with a punishing message to Chase U,
the locker room, and Je'Von Evans.
["Journey Ahead" continues playing]
[man] Trick! Trick!
What do you have to say about DIY attacking you two-on-one?
DIY?
What, you think I'm gonna let that slide?
What y'all thought?
Y'all the only two around here with some history?
Don't worry about it. I'm gonna see y'all next week.
Yeah. What y'all thought before.
[Vic] On the topic of next week,
who will have to acknowledge the other's country?
Pride is at stake next week when the Olympian Tavion Heights
faces the North American champion Ethan Page in a flag match.
Live, right here, on NXT.
In addition to that, three teams will have one giant opportunity.
You see the field, and next week we will have
a triple threat elimination tag team match
with the surviving winning team receiving a future WWE
Women's Tag Team Championship opportunity.
And after what we saw tonight and moments ago,
we will have a grudge match when Josh Briggs faces Javon Evans.
Who walks out victorious next week, live on NXT?
[voice over speakers] This is the revolution.
[bell dinging]
[Mike] The following contest is an eight-man tag team match
scheduled for one fall, introducing first,
from New Orleans, Louisiana, weighing in at 200 pounds,
Ricky Saints!
[Vic] Well, our desk is in disarray, but we are set
for our main event.
The Revolution has arrived.
The number one contender to the NXT champion, Oba Femi,
who he will team with here in just moments as things are about to explode.
Eight-man Tag Team.
Main event, live, next.
Well, let's go back to earlier tonight.
This was after Jordynne Grace busted Blake Monroe
right in the mouth and the look in Monroe's eyes,
that's one of a woman from hell, one we've never seen before here in NXT,
and we may just see how ugly things can get
between those two women here on Tuesday night.
[Mike] And their tag team partner from Lagos, Nigeria, weighing in at 310 pounds,
he is the NXT Champion, Oba Femi!
[Vic] The champion never seems to be fazed
or bothered as he enters into this eight-man main event.
You see Hank and Tank, Booker,
I mean, they were trying to be the voice of reason earlier as well.
But Saints is joining forces with these three
to try and dent the armor of these four.
And these four spoke a lot of truths earlier, Book.
Does NXT truly fear Darkstate?
[Booker] I think so.
Darkstate just came in here, bum rushed the whole damn thing.
And now we got a new tag team champs.
And it's important to remember that Oba Femi, the NXT champion,
will face Ricky Saints, the number one contender
at NXT No Mercy, which takes place at the Fort Lauderdale War Memorial Auditorium,
Saturday, September 27.
But there's no doubt that all four of those men,
including Hank and Tank, and much like we saw,
every time Darkstate steps into the ring,
it's never what you think it is.
It's always smoke and mirrors.
It's always trying to gain that advantage.
[Booker] Yes, man, that's what they're about.
I get it. I get it.
Darkstate is trying to trying to upset the whole pendulum here in NXT,
trying to change the whole name of the game.
And they're doing it.
[Vic winces]
Dion with a big jumping clothesline into the cover and a kick out.
And has Darkstate been disrespected?
Have they truly been overlooked and stepped over and you agree with that?
[Booker] I wouldn't just say they've been disrespected.
This is a man's game and right now everybody…
[all exclaiming]
…give me a piece of the action.
[Vic] Whoa! Shoulders down and a kick out.
But as I was saying, all four men want revenge on Darkstate
as the tag was made between Hank and Tank.
They want their tag team titles back. Oba and Saints,
they want Darkstate for what happened last week.
And, of course, Oba Femi, let's not forget,
was the first one ever targeted by Darkstate, earlier this year.
Off the scent and into the cover and a kickout.
Reaching out, making the tag and, for the first time, Ricky Saints
checking into the match up.
[Booker] I like the attitude of Oba Fei, he's willing to play ball
with the guy that dethroned him,
looking to take his championship away in Ricky Saints.
You got to love Oba Femi's attitude going into this matchup.
[Vic] Saints in control now and…
Saints looking right at Oba Femi, was just talking about
[Booker] That's what I was just talking about right there.
[Vic] Tag was made, though, and well, Oba making his way in.
That was a clean tag.
[Booker] Everybody know exactly what it's all about tonight.
You want to try to get Darkstate out by any means necessary.
They have been just messing all business up around here in NXT lately.
[Corey] We heard from Cutler earlier
[Vic] …members of Darkstate, and that was a clubbing blow.
That certainly was a message sent from the NXT champion, who…
You gotta laugh. The competitive spirit
is firing on all cylinders between those two and then right back
into a clubbing clothesline from Oba Femi.
[Booker] Oba playing little games right now
with the Saints letting him know he's the man--
[Vic] Look at Saints! Saints, realizing,
coming in to help Oba. Hank and Tank coming in too.
The odds are even if they're not stacked,
here tonight and Darkstate, sort of on the back foot.
And what's Oba doing?
[Booker] He's directing traffic, man.
He's about to do it.
Yeah, baby!
[Vic] Darkstate starting to retreat.
Look who's standing tall.
[crowd chanting] NXT! NXT!
[Booker] The belly boys.
[Vic] What a main event here on NXT
[Corey] Eight-man tag team matchup.
Certainly, Hank, Tank, Ricky and Oba have worked very well as a team,
but now we're just seeing Darkstate do what they do best.
Dissect, seat, destroy and use the numbers to their advantage.
As there you see Saquon Shugars leading the way,
a.k.a, Mr. Wildcard.
[Booker] Like a pack of wolves, man,
Hank just got caught on the wrong side of town.
Beat down, man. Beat down, big shot…
[Vic] Dion Lennox said that everyone sees four renegades.
Everyone sees four rogue athletes, but they don't look deeper.
Osiris never got a shot with the New Orleans Saints.
Shugars was overlooked for six years and talk about Cutler being cut out of LFG,
I'm gonna stop there because you were one of the coaches.
Was that the case for the man who just tagged out of the match?
[Booker] I'll tell you right now, Bubba Ray, he definitely overlooked…
He didn't give this guy enough credit,
I don't think that probably with the attitude of Cutler James…
Oh, yes, Osiris, the virus.
[Vic] Big power slam and near fall.
And Osiris obviously is the power of Darkstate.
And are they proving, there's something they said earlier.
Are they proving to have the talent truly
to skip the lines here in NXT like they have?
They have the championship goal.
like a pack of wolves, man.
[applause and cheers]
[Booker mumbles]
And right now, the quickest tag team champions…
in, perhaps, the history of NXT. Come on, right?
That'll wreck it.
[Vic] Since you've been here,
we'll have to have our statisticians take a look at that.
But at the end of the day, Darkstate is united by being overlooked,
being underappreciated, undervalued and they're making those pay right now.
They've heard a lot of the online mockery.
They've seen what's been said about them on social media.
Obviously, there's been comments within the locker room.
Did those tag team titles? Were they not so much, or redemption,
-not so much validation for Darkstate? -[Booker] All that talk, man.
All the naysayers, all the other ones out there
doubting on social media increase this right here.
It creates, you know, mass destruction.
And right now Osiris is looking good, man, he's using that anger.
He's using that, that frustration,
and he's turning it into something, something really nasty, man.
Really ugly.
[Vic]They are just bumbling right now, Hank!
But there's Tank, providing a safety valve for a moment in this,
a pivotal one, in this matchup, our main event on NXT.
These eight men doing battle in this moment, tag desperately needed to be made.
-And there he comes, the big Tank. -[Booker] Oh, yeah, baby!
Oh, look at the cartwheel.
Hold it down.
Hank and Tank right now,
the way they're rolling, Book, they may not need that secret weapon
that they were talking about.
And who the hell knows--
[Booker] Belly up!
[Vic] Flying through the air…
Holy crap!
You never trust a tank that can fly. Ricky Saints back into the ring, off the top.
Little extra on that DDT.
Lennox popped up.
Shugars' his tag.
He's legal. He just got dropped.
Saints right now, rocking and rolling in, tag was made.
-Oba Femi. -[Booker] Get out of there, Saints.
[Vic] Both from behind, Shugars. Saints went into Oba.
Saints is not legal.
Oba Femi is a legal superstar for his team.
Wait a minute.
That was inadvertent, wasn't it?
That certainly was not.
[Booker] Oba's right there taking care of business.
[Vic] There's no doubt about this.
Things are starting to break down.
These two meet for the NXT championship at No Mercy.
-What happened, Book? -[Booker] It was bound to happen.
It was bound to happen.
[Vic] But Hank and Tank, now they're left by themselves.
Booker.
It's four on two. It's four on two.
[Booker] They about to end this game.
We know about Darkstate when they get in this position.
[Booker] Take advantage, kids.
[Vic] You're gonna have to do it again.
Wait a minute, Cutler.
Just like in Philadelphia.
[Booker] Numbers game, man, coming into play right there,
Darkstate is that as fine as these moments right now
It is over.
[Vic] …tags were made and you can say it as many times as you want…
[Vic exclaims]
On the outside, Tank helping out Hank.
And they're still fighting, Book,
the former tag team champions are still fighting.
I don't know where the hell Oba and Saints are, but they know now
it's four on two.
[Booker] Hank and Tank, like I said man, the confidence.
Cutler.
[Cutler] No one's saving you now!
Joe Hendry!
[Vic]They said his name!
[Booker] What the hell?
[Vic] The secret weapon!
I believe that Darkstate didn't see that coming.
Overcome the Darkstate set
[Booker] Said his dan name.
[Mike] Here are your winners, the ream of Ricky Saints,
Oba Femi, and Hank and Tank!
[Vic] Do you finally believe a little bit more, Booker?
That was one hell of a secret weapon.
The ultimate ace up the sleeve, so to speak.
From Hank and Tank
Rickey Saints and Oba Femi.
They were on the same page for so long, but then things broke down.
Miscommunication nonetheless.
You said it was bound to happen.
Hendry!
[Vic] But then, hearing that, that must have been the ace
up the sleeve, as I mentioned, which helped out Hank and Tank,
playing a pivotal part and Joe Hendry just appearing.
And that would prove to be the difference maker in this matchup for Hank and Tank.
And I got to say Oba and Ricky.
But let's talk about next week.
Triple threat elimination. Tag Team matchup. Which one of these teams
will meet the women's tag team champions?
Not only that, these two will meet in an ultimate grudge match next week.
Live, here on NXT.
What a moment as we catch our breath.
Put your hands in the air for Joe Hendry.
Oba and Ricky?
They're doing what?
Get a camera back there.
Let's go!
Oba and Ricky cannot be separated.
These superstars ready to show no mercy!